Family Farm Direct

11/02/2026

Big news for local farms and the kids they feed. 🍎🥩

On Oct 30, USDA announced more than $27 million in new Farm to School grants and $50 million to help schools buy cold storage and modern kitchen equipment. And on Nov 9, a simplified USDA rule takes effect that makes it easier for schools to choose locally grown food when they buy.

Here's the thing: schools don't need another sales pitch. They need a supplier who can deliver local beef, chicken, and produce on time, in the right pack sizes, with the paperwork done right.

That's what Family Farm Direct does. We gather product from family farms across PA, MD, and WV, get it processed, and deliver it cold to the cafeterias, hospitals, and pantries that feed our neighbors. Farms get a steady market, and kids get real food.

If your school, district, or food program wants to put local on the menu this year, let's talk: https://familyfarmdirect.com

Know a food service director? Tag them or share this post. 👇

Sources: USDA, Oct 30, 2026 (https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/10/30/usda-fueling-healthy-futures-historic-new-child-nutrition-funding) and USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, Procuring Local Foods (https://www.fna.usda.gov/f2s/procuring-local-foods)




Chambersburg Area School District

-Antrim School District

10/30/2026

This week, we attended the 2026 TEDCO Entrepreneur Expo in Baltimore, Maryland, to learn more about emerging technology and its role in agriculture.

At Family Farm Direct, we build online access that helps farmers sell their products and makes it easier for hospitals, schools, medical facilities, and other institutions to source local food.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and explore how technology can strengthen local food systems.

10/30/2026

The average age of the U.S. farmer is 60+. The next generation needs income opportunity to transition or start. We are working to develope sustainable direct markets where the nutrition is needed most!

Farmers are waiting on federal relief for diesel cots as USDA works to dish out millions in aid.

In the mean time, the National Farmers Union says that relief is only temporary. They are calling for long-term solutions.

According to NFU's Rob Larew, "We continue to be at a huge risk of losing a generation of farmers. Not only those who are struggling right now, but if you think about young folks lookin at this industry right now, how can they, with any certainty, want to take on this kind of challenge? I think that's a big concern that we should all be looking at."

Congress is on recess till after the midterm elections.

10/29/2026

Hagerstown Community College went farm direct on produce and pumpkins! Student activities will be a blast!

10/28/2026

Talking about our strengths and weaknesses and how we can work together to benefit health, nutrition, and agriculture.

10/27/2026

ServSafe Certification. Food safety training. Two-day program accelerated into one, and it was intense!

10/27/2026

Family Farm Direct was pleased to welcome Dr. Daren Statler for a consultation on our high-use area. We shared our experience to help inform his new barn build.

Our high-use-area barn was built through the NRCS EQUIP program, with matching support from ACAP. We’re glad our experience can help support future projects.

10/24/2026

Following President Trump's announcement of the America First Seafood Strategy, USDA is making at least $5 BILLION in loans to expand processing for American ranchers and fishermen through the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Guaranteed Loan Program.

SPUR will provide a 90% loan guarantee to commercial lenders, with a maximum loan amount of $175 million and option to defer principal and interest payments for 2 years.

Today's announcement highlights USDA's commitment to supporting small, independent, and regional meat, poultry, AND seafood processing plants.

🔗 https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/10/23/trump-administration-announces-5-billion-spur-guaranteed-loan-program-expand-processing-american

10/23/2026

Productive meeting with
We share the same passion. They have a food hub being constructed right now called sevensistersfoodhub.com

10/22/2026

When You Support Local, You Get More Than Just Fresh Milk!

When Meritus found themselves completely out of milk and needed a last-minute delivery, we jumped into action!

Instead of waiting on a traditional supply chain, we went straight to the creamery, picked up fresh milk, and had Meritus restocked in no time!

This is just one of the many benefits of supporting local farms.

🐄 Fresh, local products.
🚚 Fast, dependable service.
🤝 Strong community partnerships.

When you buy local, you’re not just supporting farmers — you’re building relationships with people who go the extra mile when it matters most!

Local farms. Local connections. Real solutions. 🥛❤️